Last week, Abuja hosted an important conference focusing on a topic that often gets overlooked: the link between gender and climate change. Organized by the Women Environmental Programme (WEP) and the Federal Ministry of Environment, this event drew government officials, activists, and community leaders together to discuss how Nigeria’s climate policies can better address the needs of women.
Interestingly, the conference took place near International Women’s Day, a perfect time to consider how to tackle environmental issues without leaving women behind.
At first glance, climate change may seem like just an environmental issue with rising temperatures and erratic weather patterns. But it’s much more than that. It’s a pressing social, economic, and political challenge. In Nigeria, women—especially in rural areas—often feel the heaviest impact of climate disruptions. When drought hits and rivers dry up, it’s women who must travel further to find water. If crops fail due to unpredictable rains, it’s the women who face the challenge of feeding their families.
That’s why discussions on climate action must consider gender. The conference highlighted Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Gender and Climate Change, created to ensure that climate policies are inclusive. This plan aims to integrate gender considerations into all aspects of climate governance, ensuring equitable involvement from all segments of society.
WEP, a leading environmental group in Nigeria, has been at the forefront of advocating for women’s roles in environmental resilience. Their initiatives show that women are not just victims of climate change; they are vital to solving environmental issues. Women’s roles as farmers and water managers give them essential insights that are often overlooked by policymakers.
Since its launch in 2020, Nigeria’s National Action Plan has seen accomplishments, including the establishment of gender-responsive climate units in various agencies and programs to support women’s livelihoods. This plan focuses on several sectors, such as agriculture, health, and water management.
The conference was a chance to evaluate these efforts. Participants, including state climate officials, shared their experiences and results, which led to discussions on how to enhance gender-responsive climate action across the nation.
A key takeaway was the importance of empowering women in decision-making roles. Experts emphasized the need for policies to be informed by the unique experiences of men and women. Three core pillars emerged from these discussions: empowerment, inclusion, and equity. Empowering women means giving them leadership roles, inclusion ensures that diverse voices are heard, and equity promotes fair access to resources.
Dr. Priscilla Achakpa, founder of WEP, shared her insights on the collaboration between her organization and the government, pointing out that support from the Federal Ministry of Environment has been crucial for their success.
Moving forward, she emphasized the need for a second National Action Plan on Gender and Climate Change. This would help solidify the gains made so far and adapt to worsening climate conditions.
While Nigeria has made strides in including gender in climate discussions, the challenge remains in effectively implementing these policies. In recent years, the country has developed several frameworks to combat environmental issues, but translating these plans into reality is still a significant hurdle.
Dr. Iniobong Abiola Awe, director at the Ministry of Environment, urged all stakeholders to commit to gender-responsive climate action. Only through collective action can Nigeria succeed in building a resilient future in the face of climate challenges.
For further reading, you can check out the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change for insights on global gender and climate policies.
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climate action,climate resilience,environmental policy,Federal Ministry of Environment,Gender and Climate Change,gender mainstreaming,National Action Plan,nigeria,Sustainable development,Women Environmental Programme
